# @travelbarefeet on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DPQ3OtaDKdh
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35155131-travelbarefeet-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/12f7d0e689.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-10-01T10:36:04.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Bare Feet TV Series (@TravelBareFeet) — https://gondola.cc/TravelBareFeet

## Caption

When I was 23 years old, I watched a little, indie documentary film that ended up touching millions of lives around the world through dance.  That little film was “Mad Hot Ballroom”, and it followed a handful of elementary school students in New York City who participated in an after-school program called dancingclassroomsnyc.  I remember watching that film at a time when I had lost dance in my life for a few years.  I remember feeling this yearning to be an 11-year-old again, to have that sense of JOY and PLAY and DANCE in my life. 

So, when I received an email from that very same dance organization about 8 years ago, well into my Bare Feet journey, to be a judge at an upcoming Colors of the Rainbow Competition, I was floored - that was truly a career highlight for me!  For the years to follow, it has been an honor and a privilege to become part of the Dancing Classrooms family - from competition judge to virtual speaker during COVID to Mad Hot Ball co-emcee!  And earlier this year, it was a joy to re-watch that beautiful film at its 20th Anniversary screening for the dancefilms Festival.

Today, all of this has come full circle - I am so humbled to be recognized as the Dancing Classrooms’ “Social Dance Innovator Awardee” at this year’s Mad Hot Ball - thank you, Dancing Classrooms, for this incredible honor!  

And to all of YOU, if you are inspired by the great work that Dancing Classrooms does for thousands of students every year, please consider joining me on the dance floor at the Mad Hot Ball gala in NYC this month or making a donation!  Every dollar helps bring dance back into our schools - go to MadHotBall.com for more info!

#mickelamallozzi #madhotballroom #madhotball2025 #dance #education #joy #nonprofit #ballroom #ballroomdance

## Stats

- **Views:** 43
- **Likes:** 184
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 25

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bare Feet TV Series | @TravelBareFeet | https://gondola.cc/TravelBareFeet | TV Show |

## Tags

ballroomdance, madhotball2025, education, mickelamallozzi, madhotballroom, joy, ballroom, dance, nonprofit

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